Waverley

Major Melville of Cairnvreckan—a fair but dutiful Laird—asks Edward why he is passing through his land, and Ebeneezer accuses him of being a Jacobite. The Major dismisses everyone but Edward and Morton, and informs Edward that he has a warrant for his arrest for desertion and treason. Melville tells Edward that many of his fellow soldiers from Waverley-Honour have deserted and joined the Jacobite cause, for which Edward is being blamed. Edward’s relationship with Bradwardine and Fergus is exaggerated, making him seem like a key player in the Jacobite uprisings. Edward determines not to answer any of the Laird’s questions, as he knows Melville is already convinced of his guilt. In one last attempt to get information, Melville tells Edward the law will go easier on him if he informs on Fergus and his clan. Edward is greatly offended by this, and Melville uses the warrant to place him under arrest in his house.

Melville and Morton debate what to do about Edward with both agreeing that he is a good but misguided man. Melville knows he cannot keep Edward at his house for long as his house may not be safe from an attack by the Highlanders. They decide to send Edward to Stirling Castle when a military commander named Gilfillan comes through town in the next day or two. 

Edward regrets not joining Fergus in his uprising, knowing he would have been safer with the Highlanders supporting the rightful king. Morton visits him and tells Edward he wants to help prove his innocence if Edward can tell him anything about the Highlanders’ invasion. Edward tells Morton everything that has occurred since he left his regiment, and he earnestly thanks Morton for helping him. Morton tells Edward about Gilfillan and how he is called a “Cameronian,” someone from a strict and religiously fanatical group.

Melville hears news that the Highlanders have changed their course and are heading North and away from his land. Morton persuades Edward to meet with Melville again, and the three men have a good time with each other until they hear the sounds of a military drum in the distance.

Gilfillan’s regiment comes to Melville’s house and Edward remarks how self-important and fanatical they appear. Melville warns Gilfillan that he should treat Edward well and tries to advise him how to proceed, but Gilfillan does not listen to him and takes Edward on his march to Stirling.

On the way to Stirling, Gilfillan lectures Edward about his religious beliefs until they are met by a peddler who is seeking protection. The peddler befriends the Cameronians, but after some time gives a signal for a band of Highlanders to attack the party. A fight between the two groups ensues in which Gilfillan is injured, and his men retreat leaving Edward behind.

Edward is taken by the Highlanders, who he discovers are not from Fergus’s clan. He has received several injuries and he is left behind with two old Highlanders as he recovers. Though he is treated well, once he recovers, Edward debates whether to return to Glennaquoich or England. His original captors return before he can escape. Before leaving, he is surprised to see Alice, the daughter of Donald Bean Lean, who gives him letters and some of his belongings in secret.

The Highlanders give Edward a sword to use on their march, during which they encounter English soldiers. By the following morning, they reach a castle held by the House of Stuart, and Edward is guided to a room. He asks his guide where he is and if he is still a prisoner, and the man claims he can only tell him that he is at Castle Doune and that his safety is assured for the moment.

Edward is sent from Castle Doune the following morning. Having no control over his circumstances, he is guided out of the castle by men he thinks do not look like soldiers. Among them, he recognizes his old adversary from Tully-Veolan, Captain Balmawhapple. Edward fails to get information about where they are going from the group’s lieutenant, and Balmawhapple ignores him. The men get to Stirling Castle where they are met by cannon fire and must quickly retreat. The next day they continue to head South toward Edinburgh, where they hear the sounds of battle. Edward is brought to Holyrood Palace outside of the city gates, where he awaits his fate. 

Edward is surprised to see Fergus at Holyrood. Fergus tells him Flora is also there. Fergus takes him to meet a friend, who turns out to be Prince Charles Edward Stuart, who is excited to meet him. Edward is charmed by the romance of the situation and immediately devotes himself to the Stuart cause. Charles tells Edward all he has yet to learn about the Jacobite uprising and mentions that their plan has been successful so far, but they are waiting for French reinforcements. Charles gives Edward his own broadsword and pistols as Edward says he wants to join Fergus’s regiment. 

Edward tells Fergus the full story since his retreat from Glennaquoich, and Fergus has him outfitted in Mac-Ivor tartan. Edward meets with Bradwardine, who is also at Holyrood, and Fergus tells him about Edward’s favor with the prince. Edward learns that Tully-Veolan has become a dangerous place in his absence, and Rose has also come to Edinburgh, where she is disconcerted by the cannon fire at the castle. 

A dinner is held during which Edward is reunited with all of the men he met at Tully-Veolan and Glennaquoich, all now soldiers in the Stuart army. The men discuss what will happen to their belongings if they die in battle.

Fergus and Edward return to a dance at Holyrood Palace, where they run into Flora and Rose. Flora receives Edward kindly but subtly reasserts her lack of romantic interest. Edward then meets with the Prince, who knows of his attachment to Flora and recommends Edward be more subtle. When he returns to Flora, Edward is prideful and tries to convince her that he does not care about her rejection. Edward charms the general company, but Flora is still firm in her feelings toward him. Contrarily, Rose still has feelings for Edward which are only enhanced by his eloquence at the ball.

The Prince’s armies prepare to march toward the enemy, and the narrator notes the great variety of classes and clans in this Highland army.